Many Americans will celebrate Easter with candy, plastic eggs, pictures with the Easter Bunny, and maybe some extra family time. While these things can have their place, it's important that we understand the implications of this historic Christian holiday.

Easter is a day set aside for the international recognition of Jesus' resurrection from the dead. His resurrection is the greatest miracle ever, and it provides the greatest distinction religiously, while at the same time, making people the greatest offer in human history.

First, consider that miracles abound in the New Testament. The feeding of the five-thousand, Jesus walking on water, and the numerous healing miracles all serve to validate His divinity, but no miracle validates His divine nature like the greatest miracle, His personal, bodily resurrection. Literally everything a Biblical Christian believes hinges on the truth of Jesus' resurrection. 1 Corinthians 15:17 says it this way, "If Christ be not raised, your faith is vain; ye are yet in your sins."

Indian Catholic Christians attend a midnight Easter vigil mass at Saint Mary's Basilica, Secunderabad, the twin city of Hyderabad on April 1, 2018. Easter is an important celebration of the Christian faith commemorating the resurrection of Jesus Christ, three days after his death by crucifixion.
Noah Seelam, AFP/Getty Images

Haitian voodoo followers wearing white clothes participate in a voodoo ceremony in Souvenance, a suburb of Gonaives, 171km north of Port-au-Prince on April 1, 2018.
Haitian voodoo followers arrived in Souvenance to take part in the voodoo ceremonies held during Easter weekend.
Hector Retamal, AFP/Getty Images

A Syrian christian child lights candles as believers attend a mass to celebrate Easter at the Mariamite Cathedral of Damascus, one of the oldest Greek Orthodox churches in the Syrian capital on April 1, 2018.
Louai Beshara, AFP/Getty Images

Goly dancers from the Baoule community perform at the youth residence in Assounvoue village, part of Toumodi, central Ivory Coast on March 31, 2018 on the eve of "Paquinou", easter celebration traditionally marked by "palaver", reconciliation, feast, music and dance.
Sia Kambou, AFP/Getty Images

South Korean Christians pray during an annual Easter service rally at Yeonsei University in Seoul, South Korea on April 1. 2018. About 10,000 participants prayed for peace and denuclearization on the Korean Peninsula.
Ahn Young-joon, AP

Men carry banners of their parish during the beginning of the Easter riders procession in Ralbitz, Germany on April 1, 2018. According to a tradition men of the Sorbs, dressed in black tailcoats ride on decorated horses, proclaiming, singing and praying the message of Jesus' resurrection. The Sorbs are a Slavic German minority located near the German-Polish border.
Jens Meyer, AP

An offering of flowers is placed at the foot of a statue of Jesus Christ during Easter mass at a church in Mumbai, India on April 1, 2018. Christians around the world are celebrating Easter commemorating the day when according to Christian tradition Jesus was resurrected in Jerusalem two millennia ago.
Rafiq Maqbool, AP

Eastern Orthodox Christians celebrate Palm Sunday in Jerusalem's Church of the Holy Sepulchre, built on the site where they believe Jesus was crucified, buried and resurrected, in Jerusalem's Old City on April 1, 2018.
Ariel Schalit, AP

South Korean Christians participate in an annual Easter service rally at Yeonsei University in Seoul, South Korea on April 1, 2018. About 10,000 participants prayed for peace and denuclearization on the Korean Peninsula.
Ahn Young-joon, AP

A hooded penitent from the "El Resucitado" brotherhood walks to the church prior to a Holy Week procession in Cordoba, southern Spain on April 1, 2018. Hundreds of processions take place throughout Spain during the Easter Holy Week.
Manu Fernandez, AP

People dispose eggs of a easter mosaic of 39,780 dyed eggs, based on a drawing by Swiss comics artist Cosey, during the 20th edition of the Easter Mosaic, in Lausanne, Switzerland on April 1, 2018.
Laurent Gillieron, Keystone via AP

Coptic Christians react as water is sprinkled during mass on Palm Sunday, Saint Samaan the Tanner Monastery on the outskirts of Cairo, Egypt on April 1, 2018. The Orthodox Church marks Palm Sunday which commemorates Jesus Christ's entry into Jerusalem, a week before his crucifixion. Easter Sunday will fall on April 8th.
STR, EPA-EFE

A priest sprinkle water on Coptic Christians attending mass on Palm Sunday, Saint Samaan the Tanner Monastery on the outskirts of Cairo, Egypt on April 1, 2018. The Orthodox Church marks Palm Sunday which commemorates Jesus Christ's entry into Jerusalem, a week before his crucifixion.
STR, EPA-EFE

Lebanese Orthodox citizens carry children on their shoulders as they celebrate the traditional Palm Sunday procession, as they tour in front of a Saint George Cathedral and Lebanese parliament in downtown Beirut, Lebanon on April 1, 2018. Palm Sunday for Christian Orthodox devotees symbolically marks the entry of Jesus Christ into Jerusalem, signaling the start of the Holy Week before Easter.
Nabil Mounzer, EPA-EFE

A folk artist shows decorated Easter eggs in Matyo embroidered folk costume typical to the region in Mezokovesd, 131 kms east of Budapest, Hungary on April 1, 2018. According to an old Hungarian tradition, young men pour water on young women, who in exchange present their sprinklers with beautifully colored eggs. Capital of the Matyo region Mezokovesd and neighboring villages in northeastern Hungary are famous for their hand-embroidered textiles, folk costumes, painted easter eggs, traditional houses and Matyo festivities.
Zsolt Czegledi, EPA-EFE

Chinese Bishop Joseph Li Shan, center, walks down the aisle during a Holy Saturday mass on the evening before Easter at the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception, a government-sanctioned Catholic church in Beijing on March 31, 2018. Catholics in China prepared to celebrate Easter on Sunday amid reports that the Vatican and China's ruling Communist Party were in talks aimed at yielding a deal on who appoints bishops in China.
Mark Schiefelbein, AP

Children dressed in traditional costumes of Polish mountain residents participate in the blessing of food on Holy Saturday in Bialy Dunajec, Poland, on March 31, 2018. Traditionally on Easter Saturday people bring to churches eggs, sausage, bread, salt and pepper to be blessed.
Grzegorz Momot, EPA-EFE

Catholics in the community of Animas Trujano de los Valles participate in the representation of the Passion and Death of Jesus Christ, as part of Holy Week activities in the state of Oaxaca, Mexico on March 30, 2018.
MARO ARTURO MARTINEZ, EPA-EFE

Parishioners hold candles during a Holy Saturday mass on the evening before Easter at the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception, a government-sanctioned Catholic church in Beijing on March 31, 2018.
Mark Schiefelbein, AP

Actor James Burke-Dunsmore plays the role of Jesus Christ, as he nailed to a cross during a performance of Wintershall's 'The Passion of Jesus' on Good Friday in Trafalgar Square in London.
DANIEL LEAL-OLIVAS, AFP/Getty Images

A young girl is comforted as she cries during a dramatization of the crucifixion of Jesus Christ to mark Good Friday, heralding the start of Easter celebrations, in Lagos, Nigeria.
PIUS UTOMI EKPEI, AFP/Getty Images

Orthodox Jewish throw bread products into a fire in Spring Valley, N.Y. March 30, 2018 before the start of Passover, which begins at sundown. During the eight days of Passover, Jews abstain from eating bread and other leavened foods in commemoration of the Israelites who, when fleeing slavery in ancient Egypt, didn't have time to bake bread, and only had unleavened bread to take with them as they fled slavery. Thousands of Orthodox Jews threw their bread products into fires in several locations in Rockland County, New York.
SETH HARRISON, THE JOURNAL NEWS VIA THE USA TODAY NETWO

Orthodox Jews throw bread products into a fire in Monsey, N.Y. before the start of Passover, which begins at sundown. During the eight days of Passover, Jews abstain from eating bread and other leavened foods in commemoration of the Israelites who, when fleeing slavery in ancient Egypt, didn't have time to bake bread, and only had unleavened bread to take with them as they fled slavery.
SETH HARRISON/THE JOURNAL NEWS VIA THE USA TODAY NETWO

Pilgrims celebrate Easter by crossing over the tidal causeway carrying wooden crosses on the final leg of their annual pilgrimage to the Holy Island of Lindisfarne March 30, 2018 in Berwick-upon-Tweed, England.
IAN FORSYTH/Getty Images

Archbishop of Paris Michel Aupetit carries a cross during a Stations of the Cross procession on Good Friday in front of Sacre Coeur Basilica on Montmarte hill in Paris. arch 30, 2018.
LUDOVIC MARIN/AFP/GETTY IMAGES

An actor dressed as Jesus Christ reenacts the crucifixion walk along the Via Dolorosa towards the Church of the Holy Sepulchre, traditionally believed by many to be the site of the crucifixion of Jesus Christ, during the Good Friday procession in Jerusalem, March 30, 2018.
ARIEL SCHALIT/AP

epa06637091 Indian Christian devotees carry wooden crosses while participating in a religious procession on the occasion of Good Friday in Bhopal, India, 30 March 2018. It is the one of the highest religious holidays observed by Christians all over the world, commemorating the crucifixion of Jesus Christ and his death at Golgotha. EPA-EFE/SANJEEV GUPTA
SANJEEV GUPTA, EPA-EFE

A woman cries as she attends the "Jesus Nazareno, el pobre y Maria Santisima del Dulce Nombre" (Jesus the Nazarene, the poor and Holy Mary of the Sweet Name) procession on Easter Holy Week's Maundy Thursday in Madrid on March 29, 2018.Christian believers around the world mark the Holy Week of Easter in celebration of the crucifixion and resurrection of Jesus Christ.
Gabriel Bouys, AFP/Getty Images

Devotees carry a religious float with a statue of the Virgin Mary of Sorrow during the Jesus of Nazareth procession from La Merced church in downtown Guatemala City on March 27, 2018. The procession is known as "La Resena" is one of the country's earliest Catholic processions, the first being recorded in 1721.
Moises Castillo, AP

Penitents take part in the procession of the "Exaltacion de La Santa Cruz" brotherhood, during Holy Week in Zaragoza, northern Spain on March 29, 2018. Hundreds of processions take place throughout Spain during the Easter Holy Week.
Alvaro Barrientos, AP

Catholic clergy walk during the Washing of the Feet procession at the Church of the Holy Sepulchre, traditionally believed by many Christians to be the site of the crucifixion and burial of Jesus Christ, in Jerusalem on March 29, 2018.
Mahmoud Illean, AP

Devotees protect themselves from the rain during a procession of the "Santa Veracruz" brotherhood, during the Holy Week in Calahorra, northern Spain on March 28, 2018. Hundreds of processions take place throughout Spain during the Easter Holy Week.
Alvaro Barrientos, AP

Penitents take part in the procession of the "Exaltacion de La Santa Cruz" brotherhood, during Holy Week in Zaragoza, northern Spain on March 29, 2018. Hundreds of processions take place throughout Spain during the Easter Holy Week.
Alvaro Barrientos, AP

Hooded people participate in the centenary Fogareu procession during the early morning hours in Goias, Brazil on March 29, 2018. With almost three centuries of tradition, the procession of the Fogareu marked the beginning of Holy Thursday in Brazil.
Weimer Carvalho, EPA-EFE

epa06635113 Pains fraternity penitents walk holding crosses during the Penitence procession held in Ferrol, A Coruña, northwestern Spain, on Holy Wednesday 28 March 2018. This year, Spanish catholic Holy Week runs from 25 March to 01 April to mark the Passion and Death of Jesus Christ, a traditional event very important in Spanish catholic tradition. EPA-EFE/KIKO DELGADO ORG XMIT: GRAF2346
KIKO DELGADO, EPA-EFE

Archbishop Pierbattista Pizzaballa, center, Apostolic Administrator of the Latin Patriarchate of Jerusalem, takes part in the Maundy Thursday mass facing the Tomb of Christ during Holy Week in the Church of the Holy Sepulchre in Jerusalem's Old City on March 29, 2018. Archbishop Pierbattista later took part in the traditional Washing of the Feet ceremony.
Jim Hollander, EPA-EFE

epaselect epa06634735 People watch as the figure of the 'Virgin Maria Santisima del Sacromonte' is carried by members of the 'Cofradia del Santisimo Cristo del Consuelo y Maria Santisima del Sacromonte' brotherhood during a procession in Granada, Spain, 28 March 2018. This year, Spanish catholic Holy Week runs from 25 March to 01 April to mark the Passion and Death of Jesus Christ, a traditional event very important in Spanish catholic tradition. EPA-EFE/MIGUEL ANGEL MOLINA ORG XMIT: GRAF2124
MIGUEL ANGEL MOLINA, EPA-EFE

epaselect epa06635744 Soldiers of the Spanish Legion carry the figure of the Holy Christ of the Good Death from the St. Domingo Church to the Brotherhood House as they march through the streets of Malaga, Andalusia, southern Spain, 29 March 2018. The legionnaires traditionally take part in the religious image's procession on Maundy Thursday during which they move it by boat from Almeria to Malaga every Holy Week. EPA-EFE/CARLOS DIAZ ORG XMIT: GRAF2476
CARLOS DIAZ, EPA-EFE

Pope Francis holds up the Book of the Gospel as he celebrates the Mass of the Chrism at the Saint Peter's Basilica in the Vatican City on March 29, 2018. During the mass the Pope blesses Chrism oil which is used for the religious sacraments during this year. The Chrism Mass is part of the Catholic church's rites during the Holy Week.
Ettore Ferrari, EPA-EFE

Catholic devotees participate in the Jesus Nazarene procession 'La Resena', on the Holy Tuesday, as part of the Holy Week celebrations, in Guatemala City, Guatemala on March 27, 2018.
Esteban Biba, EPA-EFE

Archbishop Pierbattista Pizzaballa, right, Apostolic Administrator of the Latin Patriarchate of Jerusalem, takes part in the traditional Washing of the Feet ceremony on Maundy Thursday in the Church of the Holy Sepulchre in Jerusalem's Old City, during Holy Week on March 29, 2018.
Jim Hollander, EPA-EFE

A flagellant crawls on a road on the way to a church on Maundy Thursday in San Fernando, Pampanga province, Philippines on March 29, 2018. Many Filipino Catholic penitents mark the Holy Week by submitting to different forms of physical penance in the hopes of being forgiven for their sins.
Mark R. Cristino, EPA-EFE

People take communion during pontifical mass and the Procession of the Blessed Sacrament at the church of the Holy Sepulcher on March 29, 2018 in Jerusalem, Israel. Thousands of tourists and pilgrims have descended on the holy city of Jerusalem to attend activities to mark Christian Holy week from March 25 to April 2.
Chris McGrath, Getty Images

A woman prays on the outside of the Tomb of Christ during pontifical mass and the Procession of the Blessed Sacrament at the church of the Holy Sepulcher on March 29, 2018 in Jerusalem, Israel.
Chris McGrath, Getty Images

Tourists bath in the water of the Jordan river on March 28, 2018 in Qasr el Yahud, Israel. Thousands of people visit the holy site some to be baptized or to take rededication rituals. The site is said to be location of the baptism of Jesus by John the Baptist.
Chris McGrath, Getty Images

Visitors kiss and touch the Stone of Anointing, where Jesus's body is said to have been anointed before burial at the church of the Holy Sepulcher on March 28, 2018 in Jerusalem, Israel.
Chris McGrath, Getty Images

Penitents from the El Nazareno brotherhood walk to the Jesus Nazareno Church before a procession during Maundy Wednesday on March 29, 2018 in Cordoba, Spain. Spain celebrates the holy week before Easter with processions in most Spanish towns and villages.
Pablo Blazquez Dominguez, Getty Images

A layman of the Roman Catholic Church blesses palms during Palm Sunday celebrations at the Our Lady of Lourdes Grotto church in Bulacan, north of Manila on March 25, 2018. Palm Sunday marks the sixth and last Sunday of the Christian Holy month of Lent and the beginning of Holy Week.
Noel Celis, AFP/Getty Images

Nuns hold olive branches as they wait for the Palm Sunday celebrations at St Peter's square on March 25, 2018 at the Vatican.
Palm Sunday marks the sixth and last Sunday of the Christian Holy month of Lent and the beginning of Holy Week.
Tiziana Fabi, AFP/Getty Images

Cardinals holding palms attend at the Palm Sunday mass at the St Peter's square in Vatican, on March 25, 2018.
Palm Sunday marks the sixth and last Sunday of the Christian Holy month of Lent and the beginning of Holy Week.
Tiziana Fabi, AFP/Getty Images

A cathedral boat boy waits with members of the clergy before joining a Palm Sunday procession through the city centre to the Cathedral to participate in the Palm Sunday service in Ripon, England on March 25, 2018.
Oli Scarff, AFP/Getty Images

Members of the cathedral choir prepare to take part in a Palm Sunday procession through the city centre to the Cathedral to participate in the Palm Sunday service in Ripon, England on March 25, 2018.
Oli Scarff, AFP/Getty Images

A penitent puts the capirote onto a young penitent's head on their way to church during the 'La Paz' brotherhood Palm Sunday procession in Sevilla during the Holy Week on March 25, 2018.
Cristina Quicler, AFP/Getty Images

Christian worshippers hold palm fronds during the Palm Sunday procession at Church of the Holy Sepulchre, traditionally believed by many to be the site of the crucifixion and burial of Jesus Christ, in Jerusalem's Old City on March 25, 2018.
Oded Balilty, AP

A woman holds a rosary and a palm frond shaped as a cross as she follows a Palm Sunday Mass celebrated by Pope Francis, at the Vatican on March 25, 2018. Pope Francis on Sunday urged young people not to be silent and let their voices be heard during Palm Sunday celebrations.
Angelo Carconi, ANSA via AP

Christian take part in a prayer service on the occasion of Palm Sunday in Bhopal, India, 25 March 2018. Palm Sunday for Roman Catholic devotees symbolically marks the biblical account of the entry of Jesus Christ into Jerusalem, signaling the start of the Holy Week, prior to Easter.
Sanjeev Gupta, EPA-EFE

Christian pilgrims take part in the Palm Sunday procession in the Olive mount, Jerusalem on March 25,2018. Thousands of pilgrims, clergy and tourists retraced the route taken by Jesus Christ as they marched with palms and olive branches on the Mount of Olives, down to the Garden of Gethsemene and up to the Lion's Gate and into the Old City of Jerusalem.
Atef Safadi, EPA-EFE

Pope Francis greets faithful as he leaves St. Peter's Square at the the end of Palm Sunday Mass on March 25, 2018 in Vatican City, Vatican. Pope Francis on Sunday presided at the Procession and Mass for Palm Sunday, as the Church enters into the celebration of Holy Week. Palm Sunday commemorates the triumphal entry of Jesus into Jerusalem one week before His Passion, Death, and Resurrection.
Franco Origlia, Getty Images

Participants stand next to an effigy of Jesus nailed to the cross during the annual Palm Sunday procession on March 25, 2018 in Heiligenstadt, Germany. The annual event, known as the procession of suffering, includes six figures carried by volunteers that represent six stages of Christ's suffering, from the Last Supper to his crucifixion. The procession dates to the late 16th century and is included by UNESCO in its German list of Intangible Cultural Heritage.
Thomas Lohnes, Getty Images

After Christ's historic death on the cross and resurrection from the dead, Jesus was seen by more than 500 eyewitnesses over a 40-day period. People saw Him, physically touched Him, heard Him speak, and some even ate food with Him after His death and resurrection. Imagine that! Imagine being one of those people who witnessed His "many infallible proofs." Conquering death, through His bodily resurrection, is truly the greatest miracle ever.

Secondly, the miracle of the resurrection provides the greatest religious distinction. On the pluralistic smorgasbord of religious possibility, Christianity stands alone in its claim to provide power over death through a risen Savior. There is no Easter celebration in Islam. There is no Easter in Judaism. There is no Easter in Buddhism, Zoroastrianism, Taoism or any of the other religions of this world. The living Savior, Jesus Christ, is unique. Christ alone is risen from the dead. Revelation 1:18 says, "I am he that liveth, and was dead; and, behold, I am alive for evermore."

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Thirdly, Jesus' resurrection provides the greatest offer in human history. Because Jesus conquered death, He rightly says, "I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me." The only way to dwell eternally with God the Father is through His only begotten Son. His offer is one of forgiveness of sin and eternal life in heaven with God.

The Christian gospel, also known as the "good news," of Jesus Christ is that we don't have to die and face the consequences of our own sin. We can have everlasting life because Christ is alive and conquered death. He was born of a virgin, lived a sinless life, lovingly paid your sin debt through His vicarious death, and now lives to invite mankind to call upon Him to be saved from eternal hell.

This is the Bible's bold message of the resurrection. This is the loving, eternally relevant message of Easter. More than the joy provided by colorful eggs and chocolate bunnies at Easter, the message of the risen Savior provides eternal rejoicing for all those who call upon Him for the saving of their soul.

"He is not here: for He is risen, as He said." - Matthew 28:6 - Happy Easter!

James C. Johnson is the pastor of Pine Forest Estates Baptist Church in Pensacola. To offer him your feedback, please email him at pineforestestates@gmail.com.